PHILADELPHIA (August 11, 2026) – Today the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation (PFMC) announced the appointment of Brian Dingerdissen as the new Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW). As a seasoned utility finance executive and leader with more than two decades of experience in regulated water and natural gas utilities. Dingerdissen joins at a pivotal moment as PGW builds upon decades of financial improvement and infrastructure investment while helping to shape Philadelphia’s evolving energy future.
PGW’s financial turnaround over the past 25 years has been extraordinary. PGW dramatically improved relevant financial metrics since 2001, including:
“On behalf of the entire PFMC Board, I would like to express our excitement in welcoming Brian to PGW,” said Leigh Whitaker, Chair of the PFMC Board. “Brian brings a rare blend of financial depth, industry knowledge, and strategic planning experience. We are confident that he will be a tremendous asset to PGW’s leadership team to continue building on the foundation built by outgoing CFO, Joseph F. Golden Jr.”
Dingerdissen brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in regulated utility operations, finance, planning and strategy. Most recently, he served as the Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis, Investor Relations, and Treasurer for Essential Utilities, the parent company of Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas. During his tenure, he has held several senior leadership positions with increasing responsibility, partnering closely with executive leadership and the board of directors on financial stewardship, long-term planning, strategic initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brian Dingerdissen to PGW,” said Seth Shapiro, President and CEO of PGW. “I am confident that he has the background to both maintain the financial discipline for which PGW has become known, while also bringing creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit that will be critical to succeeding as the energy industry evolves over the coming years.”
Dingerdissen’s appointment was unanimously approved by the Philadelphia Gas Commission on August 11.
“I am honored to join PGW and build upon the strong financial foundation established by Joe Golden and the entire PGW team," said Brian Dingerdissen. "PGW plays an essential role in the lives of Philadelphians and stands at the intersection of public service, infrastructure reliability, customer affordability, and energy innovation. I look forward to working alongside PGW employees, leadership, the Gas Commission, PFMC Board, City officials, and community stakeholders to ensure the utility remains financially strong, operationally resilient, and well positioned for the future.”
PGW is the largest municipally owned gas utility in the country, serving more than 500,000 customers and will continue to invest in innovative energy solutions and strategic initiatives. PGW launched a comprehensive search for an executive vice president and chief financial officer following the announcement of current CFO Joseph Golden, Jr.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank PGW’s outgoing CFO. Joe played a central role in improving and stabilizing PGW's finances during his more than 40 years of service. I'm sure PFMC joins hundreds of current and former PGW employees as well as countless colleagues across the industry in saying that Joe will be sorely missed,” added PFMC Board Chair Whitaker.
Dingerdissen earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and MBA from Villanova University. He currently serves as Chair of the American Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter. His commitment to community service and civic leadership aligns closely with PGW’s mission of serving Philadelphia’s residents and businesses.
American Public Gas Association recognizes PGW for excellence in operations in system integrity and improvement, employee safety and workforce development
PHILADELPHIA (August 11, 2026) - PGW received the American Public Gas Association’s (APGA) gold-level System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR), honoring its outstanding performance and excellence in operations of its natural gas utility. This distinction highlights PGW’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing safety, enhancing operational capabilities, and meeting challenges with innovation.
“This achievement belongs to our 1,600 employees, whose expertise, dedication and service strengthen our system,” said Robert K. Smith, Senior Vice President, Operations, Supply Chain & Gas Management at PGW. “We are honored to be recognized at the gold-level by the APGA, which reflects our core values, employing a safety-first culture, and our commitment to improving and investing in our system that provides safe, reliable natural gas to Philadelphians every day.”
This marks the first time PGW has earned the gold ranking from APGA, after previously receiving the silver-level award twice. PGW was selected as one of 11 gold-level awardees from among approximately 750 APGA member utilities. PGW received 164 of a possible 168 points in SOAR’s scoring rubric that focuses on four primary areas:
“PGW was highly rated in all four areas that are required of SOAR,” said APGA President and CEO Dave Schryver. “PGW consistently demonstrates a commitment to providing natural gas safely and efficiently to all those in their community and as such, serves as a model for all other natural gas utilities in the country,” Schryver said.
Employees across several departments collaborated on the award submission, providing data, anecdotes, and information to illustrate PGW’s efforts in each of SOAR’s four categories.
Study Confirms Technical Viability of Geothermal Heating and Cooling System at McCloskey Elementary School and Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center
PHILADELPHIA (August 5, 2026) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is excited to share the results of the Geothermal Feasibility Study, conducted in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), the City of Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation (PPR), and Alderson Engineering. The study was undertaken to assess the technical and economic viability of implementing a closed loop geothermal heating and cooling system at the site serving John F. McCloskey Elementary School and Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center.
The exploration of geothermal technology is part of PGW’s broader diversification efforts, which aim to grow revenue, deliver increased value to customers, expand its clean energy portfolio, and lower emissions. The study is one of the efforts PGW is taking to evaluate what role it can play in delivering innovative energy services beyond just natural gas in the future. In addition, PGW’s collaboration supports SDP’s GreenFutures Plan, with the goal to provide students and staff with a well-resourced, safe, healthy, clean, and comfortable learning and working environment.
The detailed study outlines geological conditions, available space for underground borefield installations, and the potential design for a decentralized geothermal unit with pumping capabilities. PGW and partners remain laser focused on exploring achievable ways to reduce emissions, offer cost-saving energy efficient options for customers, and sustain jobs across Philadelphia.
“As a leader in the energy industry, PGW is committed to delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy,” said Seth Shapiro, PGW President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have increasingly focused on innovation, partnering with other institutions to drive creative energy solutions across the City. We believe geothermal is one of many alternatives that can play a pivotal role in an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy for the City and Commonwealth.”
Background
The Geothermal Feasibility Study outlines a realistic solution to support keeping students and staff in a comfortable environment. While John F. McCloskey Elementary School and the Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center are operating to the best of their abilities, extreme heat at times forces McCloskey School students and staff to participate in virtual learning and face canceled activities due to inadequate cooling.
“By partnering with Philadelphia Gas Works to explore innovative energy solutions within our schools, we aim to provide clean and efficient heating and cooling options, enhance our school environment, reduce costs, and be part of a key feasibility study that can help pave the way for equitable, sustainable energy strategies that benefit all Philadelphians,” said Deputy Superintendent of Operations Oz Hill, School District of Philadelphia.
Key Findings
The Geothermal Feasibility Study identified the following key findings:
Procurement Process
In PGW’s effort to expand its clean energy portfolio and explore diversification efforts, PGW issued a Request for Proposals on March 17, 2025, and received applications through April 15, 2025. All were carefully reviewed before Alderson was selected as the Geothermal Feasibility study contractor.
To read the study, visit pgworks.com/fuelingthefuture.
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